The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a versatile performer who brought laughter and joy to audiences for decades through her memorable roles in classic comedies.
According to People, Teri Garr, renowned for her performances in "Tootsie" and "Young Frankenstein," died Tuesday at age 79 due to complications from multiple sclerosis, surrounded by family and friends.
The accomplished actress, whose career spanned over 140 film and television credits, carved her path from dancer to acclaimed comedian and dramatic performer. Her journey began in Ohio in 1944, born to parents deeply rooted in show business—her father a vaudeville performer and her mother a Rockette who later worked in costume production.
Garr's early career capitalized on her dancing abilities, appearing in six Elvis Presley films, including "Viva Las Vegas" in 1964. She transitioned from dancing to acting, studying at prestigious institutions like the Actors Studio and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
The actress secured her first speaking role in The Monkees' 1968 film "Head," written by Jack Nicholson. That same year, she appeared in "Star Trek," marking her first major speaking role. Her regular appearances on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" in 1972 helped establish her presence in television.
Garr revealed to PBS in 2012 how she landed her breakthrough role in "Young Frankenstein":
My mother was the wardrobe woman on Young Frankenstein. I asked her if they'd finished casting, and she said she didn't know... I got the German accent from Cher's wig lady.
Her portrayal in the 1982 film "Tootsie" earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Film critic Pauline Kael praised her performance, describing her as "the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen."
Throughout the 1980s, Garr continued to demonstrate her versatility with roles in "Mr. Mom," "After Hours," and various television appearances.
She became a favorite guest on late-night television, particularly on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "Late Night with David Letterman."
In 2002, Garr publicly disclosed her battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition she had been managing since the 1990s. She discussed her experience in her 2006 memoir "Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood," addressing the impact of her diagnosis on her career.
The actress told Brain & Life Magazine in 2005:
Slowing down is so not in my nature, but I have to. Stress and anxiety and all those high-tension things are not good for MS.
After her diagnosis, Garr became an advocate for multiple sclerosis awareness, serving as a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She continued working selectively until her retirement from acting in 2011.
Garr's profound influence on comedy and film encompasses memorable roles in classics like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and appearances on popular television shows, including "Friends," where she played Phoebe's birth mother. Her marriage to John O'Neil in 1993 resulted in the adoption of their daughter Molly, though the couple later separated in 1996.
